Diwali Inflation Price Hike: Even before the festival of Diwali, the blow of inflation has started to fall on the general public. From daily necessities to cooking gas and fuel, the hike in prices has disrupted the budgets of middle-class families. On one hand preparations for Diwali celebrations are going on, on the other hand it is becoming difficult for families to maintain the joy of the festival due to rising inflation. The prices of milk, ghee, butter, dal and rice have gone up, while the prices of petrol, diesel and gas have also reached high levels.
Diwali shopping expensive, big jump in ghee-dal prices
Amul has hiked the prices of ghee and butter used in Diwali dishes. The price of one kg carton of ghee increased by Rs.50 from Rs.630 to Rs.680. The price of a 500 gram pure ghee pouch has increased from Rs.325 to Rs.345. 100 gram packet of butter has increased by Rs.3 and 500 gram packet by Rs.15.
On the other hand, there are also complaints of shortage of genuine ghee in the market and adulteration during the festive season. The price of dal has also seen a big jump. The price of tuwer dal has increased to Rs 130 per kg from Rs 100, while mung dal has reached Rs 120 and gram dal has reached Rs 95 per kg. The price of urad dal is also being quoted at Rs.105 per kg.
Rice prices also rise, gas and fuel expensive
Along with pulses, the price of rice has also increased by Rs.20 to Rs.25 per kg. Apart from this, Vadodara Gas Limited has increased CNG price by Rs.1.50 per kg and domestic PNG price by 50 paise. The gas price hike is affecting rickshaw pullers, taxi drivers, school van drivers and people involved in small transport business. The price of a commercial LPG cylinder has also been increased by Rs.10 to Rs.17 from November 1.
Petrol price in Ahmedabad is around Rs.102 per liter and diesel price is around Rs.82 per liter. On the other hand, Adani Gas has hiked CNG prices by Rs 2.30 per kg, bringing the price of CNG to Rs 100.77 per kg in Ahmedabad. CNG prices have increased at least six times in the last six months.
Inflation impact on middle class Diwali
The hardships of the common citizens are compounded by the constant increase in food and fuel prices during the Diwali festivities. It has become a challenge for families with limited income to keep up with household expenses and to plan festive shopping and celebrations.
On the other hand, concerns are also being expressed about the increase in black market, hoarding and food adulteration activities during the festive season. There is a need for effective measures to control price hikes and provide relief to consumers. Diwali celebrations of many families are likely to be muted this year amid the ever-increasing inflation.